Over a five-day period from July 18 to 22, more than 50 government and private institutions, as well as vehicles, were set ablaze in Narayanganj district amid violence surrounding the quota reform movement.
Among the targets were various police administration establishments. The unrest resulted in eight deaths and over 400 injuries in the district. Authorities have filed 31 cases and arrested 586 individuals in connection with the incidents.
According to the police, members of the BNP-Jamaat incited the violence under the guise of supporting student protests over the quota issue.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Md Shakib Al Rabbi, said the estimated damage in the five days is to be Tk2,32,17,70,000.
Damaged establishments
The arson at the District Regional Passport Office resulted in damage to various furniture and structures, amounting to Tk3.27 crore. The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) Narayanganj Office suffered damages estimated at Tk25 lakh.
Fire service vehicles were also targetted, leading to an estimated loss of Tk3,20,000 due to arson and vandalism. Additionally, the destruction of two district police vehicles, five police boxes, and subsequent arson caused damage totaling Tk25,70,00,000.
The looting of the ground floor of the City Corporation building, which included the destruction of four cars, ten motorcycles, computers, furniture, and the One Bank branch, led to an estimated loss of over Tk50 crore.
The Information Office vehicle was set on fire, resulting in a loss of Tk30 lakh. The District Youth Development Office also faced significant damage, with the fire destroying ten motorcycles, one microbus, four other vehicles, and various pieces of furniture, amounting to a loss of Tk95 lakh.
In total, the damages are estimated at Tk83,67,20,000.
Miscreants also looted 100 tons of clothing from the SB Style Composite Garment Factory in Bhuigarh, Fatullah. At least 26 cars, 10 laptops, and 50 computers were damaged in a fire, causing a loss of approximately Tk115 crore.
Additionally, 24 vehicles belonging to Sheetal Paribahan were set on fire, resulting in a loss of Tk12 crore.
Furthermore, the Madina Group establishment in Sanarpar was vandalized, and two private cars were set ablaze, causing damage estimated at Tk15.14 crore.
At Narayanganj Club Limited, the shop was vandalized, Tk11 lakh was looted, and two motorcycles along with 14 computers were set on fire, resulting in a loss of Tk90 lakh.
A pickup van of Palli Bidyut Samity-2 office was vandalized causing a loss of Tk1.5 lakh. In all, there was a loss of Tk1,48,50,50,000.
District Awami League President Abdul Hye claimed that the district and metropolitan Awami League offices were vandalized in the city's 2 No Rail Gate area.
He said that BNP-Jamaat-Shibir vandalized the district and metropolitan Awami League offices by going on a rampage. Goods worth Tk40 lakh were damaged in the two offices.
Shah Nizam, the joint general secretary of the Narayanganj Metropolitan Awami League and owner of NOM Park, stated that miscreants had vandalized and looted cash and goods, causing an estimated damage of around Tk4.5 crore.
He further said: "Those who opposed the independence of the country and do not believe in development orchestrated this mayhem, using students to destabilize the economy. I am 100% certain that an ordinary student could not have done such a thing. These incidents were carried out at the instigation of Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir."
What police say
Narayanganj Superintendent of Police Golam Mostafa Russel said among the total of 586 people have been arrested Most of them are BNP-Jamaat activists. ’
"According to our information, their followers carried out violent activities under the leadership of Fatullah unit Jamaat Ameer Masud and Jubo Dal General Secretary Mamun. Jamaat-BNP and miscreants went on a rampage in the presence of Iqbal Councilor and Israfil in Sanarpar and Signboard areas. Thirty-seven policemen were injured. Four of them are at Rajarbagh Police Hospital seeking treatment.
On July 18, students protested in Narayanganj's Chashara area against the attack on quota reform protesters. During the demonstration, miscreants set fire to two police vehicles, prompting the police to respond by firing tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. This escalation led to the spread of the conflict.
